AccessBuilder

AccessBuilder (Access Builder) is a family of dial-in remote access servers that give mobile computer users and remote office workers full access to workgroup, departmental, and enterprise network resources.

Remote users dial into AccessBuilder via analog or digital connections to get direct, transparent links to Ethernet and Token Ring LANs-just as if they were connected locally.

AccessBuilder products support a broad range of computing platforms, network operating systems, and protocols to fit a variety of network environments. They provide multi-protocol bridging and routing for wide area Client-to-LAN connections and remote LAN extensions to the central site.

Key Benefits

• Dial-in connections for remotely located employees, including business travelers, telecommuters, and remote office workers.
• Multi-protocol bridging and routing for Client-to-LAN connections and LAN extensions to central site networks.
• Support for the most widely used desktop systems, LAN operating systems, and network protocols.
• Simultaneous analog and digital (ISDN) connectivity on the same platform.
• High-speed support for remote users and backbone connections.
• Users can run multiple concurrent sessions and exchange information between sessions to save time and keystrokes.
• Transcend graphical SNMP management software for IP and IPX environments.
• The highest level of network security with advanced features to simplify administration and protect data.
• Flexible, dynamic bandwidth management for increased efficiency and economy when connecting two LANS.

End-to-End Solutions for Remote Client Access

With the AccessBuilder family, 3Com brings a complete networking solution to businesses with mobile or remotely located workers.

AccessBuilder servers provide Client-to-LAN intemetworking for mobile users, business travelers, and teleworkers.

Incorporating 3Com's Personal Routing' system architecture, AccessBuilder servers make remote access connections as transparent and easy as local network connections.

The servers support the industry's broadest range of computing platforms, operating systems, and networking protocols for seamless dial-in access from any location. Remote PC, Macintosh, and UNIX'-based computer users can share dial-in connections via modems, ISDN terminal adapters, or Switched 56 DSU.

Fully Integrated Management

AccessBuilder servers are equipped with a resident Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent for in-band monitoring from an SNNIP management station. AccessBuilder management can be integrated with any SNMP-compatible platform, including HP OpenView, SunNet Manager from Sun, and IBM's NetView/6000.

Out-of-band and local management can be accomplished by connecting a management station to a dial-in or RS-232 port. Telnet management is available using TCP/IP.

3Com's Transcend management applications feature automatic discovery and configuration support for AccessBuilder connections and simplify ongoing management tasks.

AccessBuilder servers are also compatible with leading third-party TCP/IP, PPP, and SLIP client packages, including NetManage Chameleon and FTP Software PC/TCP.

Advanced Security

AccessBuilder servers provide the most comprehensive options in the industry for secure remote access. Options include AccessBuilder's built-in security for user databases, centralized database for user authentication as well as suppose for the industry's leading third-party hardware and software security options.

Password protection and automatic call-back prevent unauthorized network intrusions. AccessBuilder also includes a resource access manager that insulates individual network segments running mission-critical applications. All unauthorized attempts to access the network are automatically logged and reported to the management station.

For workgroup and enterprise-wide server-based security, AccessBuilder security software works with Novell Bindery and Novell Directory services for authentication before providing access to network resources.

For network-based security for the enterprise network, special security software can interact with security servers and security software located on client nodes. This server-based software provides a standards-based model for centralizing authentication via a common user security profile database.

AccessBuilder security server software is available for a Sun SPARCstation (Sun OS 4. I.x). In addition, AccessBuilder security software integrates with Security Dynamics ACE Server and OSF/DCE security server.

AccessBuilder servers also work with hardware security systems from leading third-party vendors including Digital Pathways, LeeMah, and Security Dynamics.

Bridging and Routing Between LANs

AccessBuilder servers support wide area LAN-to-LAN intemetworking with concurrent bridging and routing over both dial-up and leased lines. Protocols such as IP and IPX are routed, while AppleTalk, DECnet , XNS, NetBEUI, NetBIOS, VINES, and other IEEE 802.3 protocols are bridged.

Dynamic Bandwidth Management

Dial on demand, dynamic bandwidth allocation, and inverse multiplexing improve throughput and reduce networking costs. AccessBuilder can also reduce expenses by reserving band- width for time-consuming transmissions., such as batch sessions, after peak traffic hours. Dial-up lines can be configured to handle overflow traffic from leased lines if necessary. Furthermore, AccessBuilder maximizes uptime by automatically switching from leased lines to redundant dial-up lines in the event of a leased-line failure.

Scalable, Flexible Connections

AccessBuilder servers incorporate 3Com's High-Performance Scalable Networking approach for smooth integration and logical, risk-free expansion. A scalable Intel i960' RISC processor provides high-speed processing capabilities today with the capacity for expansion in the future.

Easy connectivity for workgroup environments, such as smaller single sites or remote branch offices

AccessBuilder 2000

AccessBuilder 2000 servers meet the needs of workers in remote offices and workgroups with plug-and-play simplicity and ease of use. Combining high-speed ports with a low entry cost, these are the best price-to-performance servers in the industry.

AccessBuilder 2000 servers are part of 3Com's innovative SuperStack system that brings a new level of flexibility, future-proofing, and robust operation to stackable network products. The SuperStack architecture integrates network services and comprehensive management. It features built-in fault tolerance and optional redundant power for increased up time. And it provides a smooth, affordable path to future technologies.

The AccessBuilder 2000 can easily be configured as a standalone device or a leaf node on a larger network. It connects to an enterprise AccessBuilder 4000 or to a NETBuilder 11 or other central site internetworking device for LAN-to-LAN applications.

• Four- and eight-port configurations for Ethernet connectivity
• Supports IP, IPX, AppleTalk, and NetBIOS protocols
• Built-in graphical management interface for IP and IPX
• Extensive LEDs on the front panel (33 LEDs on the 8-port model) indicate status of the various LAN and WAN ports
• Software-configurable asynchronous ports for Client-to-LAN and LAN-to-LAN
• User upgradeable flash memory for easy software updates and maintenance

AccessBuilder 4000

An enterprise solution for the central site

Full-featured and scalable, the AccessBuilder 4000 is an ideal enterprise remote access server. It offers broad connectivity options for enhanced inter- operability, supporting a wide range of network technologies and protocols.

AccessBuilder 4000 servers can handle simultaneous connections, supporting mixed asynchronous, synchronous, and ISDN technologies simultaneously.

The AccessBuilder 4000 chassis accommodates any mix of four- or eight- port asynchronous WAN modules, or a single-port TI/E- 1 (1.544 Mbps/2.054 Mbps) synchronous module for high- bandwidth connections. As the network expands, additional AccessBuilder servers can be installed to provide more dial-in ports, and administered with centralized management and security facilities.

For Ethernet connections, AUI, BNC, and RJ-45 connectors provide links to thick and thin Ethernet and IOBASE-T twisted-pair wiring. For Token Ring, a standard 9-pin D connector on the AccessBuilder Token Ring server provides a link to shielded twisted-pair (STP) or IBM Cabling System wiring. An RJ-45 connector accommodates Token Ring unshielded twisted pair (UTP).

• Modular architecture expandable from four to 16 ports
• User upgradeable, flash memory for easy software updates and maintenance
• Supports EP, EPX, AppleTalk, NetBIOS, DECnet, Banyan VINES, XNS, and other protocols
• Ethernet and Token Ring models available

A Complete Remote Access Offering

AccessBuilder servers are an ideal solution for the needs of small workgroups and individual remote offices connecting to central site network resources.

To handle higher levels of traffic between geographically dispersed sites-for example, between branch offices and the headquarters network- 3Com offers the NETBuilder Remote Office line.

Just as the Personal Routing system architecture ensures high-quality AccessBuilder connections, 3Com's Boundary Routing' system architecture simplifies the administration of NETBuilder Remote Office routers by treating the routers as a single cohesive system.